Hawai – The Most Glittering Island

March 10, 2015

So you want to know about the most elite, beautiful, and stunning (natural) places that are really worth your time to stop and see? Well, you’re in the right place. Hawai is the most famous tourist destination that draws large number of tourists and visitors from all over the world. This is the land of fiery volcanoes, sparkling waterfalls, black-lava deserts, snowcapped mountains, tropical rainforests, alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and miles of golden, black, and even green-sand beaches. Check out the following places that can also be visited when you plan a visit to the fantastic destination.

Haleakala National Park, Maui

The Haleakala National Park preserves the Haleakala volcanic area on the island of Maui. Explore the summit area and/or the Kipahulu area down on the coast, but be aware that these park areas are not connected by road and it will take two separate trips to visit both. Both Haleakala National Park areas are unique; the summit offers spectacular views and scenery, while the valley of Kipahulu is lush and lined with beautiful freshwater pools and waterfalls including the pools of Oheo. Must-do’s are: hike the two-mile trail leading through the Oheo Gulch and swim in the lower pools, and visit the visitor center.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu

This beautiful, sheltered bay was once damaged by years of excessive use and neglect. In 1990, the City and County of Honolulu began great plans to restore Hanauma Bay. After more than a decade of efforts, Hanauma Bay was restored into a pristine marine ecosystem by reducing the number of visitors, establishing an education program, and instituting supportive restrictions. These improvements have created some amazing snorkeling and swimming opportunities. Must-do’s are: visit the education center, pick up a fish I.D. card before snorkeling, and talk with the volunteers at the beach kiosk.

Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu

Diamond Head is Hawaii’s most famous landmark. Known in Hawaiian as Le’ahi, so named by Hi’laka, the sister of the fire god Pele, because the summit supposedly resembles the forehead of the yellowfin tuna fish. It wasn’t until the late 1700’s, when western traders thought they had found diamonds on the slope of the crater, that they began to call it Diamond Head. But before you head to the Diamond Head State Monument to dig for diamonds, you should know that the so-called diamonds were merely calcite crystals, worthless to mine.